ER+ Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis in a Real Body Environment
Official title: ER+ Breast Cancer Metastasis in Intact Microenvironment
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11422333 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant aims to understand why estrogen receptor alpha–positive breast cancer often spreads to bone and how the bone environment and immune system affect treatment resistance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,471,340 |
| NIH project number | 1P01CA302582-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11422333 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with ER+ breast cancer and bone metastases, or those at risk of bone metastasis, may contribute tissue samples and be considered for future related trials.
✕Less likely to help
Early-stage patients without bone involvement or those not eligible for the specific models may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine will study ER+ breast cancer that spreads to bone by using patient tissue samples, a new rat-based model that simulates a full immune environment, and advanced analysis of how bone tissue affects cancer metabolism and immunity. The project includes building a tissue biobank of matched primary tumors and bone metastases and creating innovative models to observe how endocrine therapy interacts with the bone microenvironment. The goal is to identify why bone metastases resist therapy and to uncover targets that could prevent or treat these bone lesions in patients. This work is designed to translate into better strategies for monitoring and managing metastatic ER+ breast cancer in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more effective treatments for bone metastases and longer, cancer-free survival.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows bone metastasis biology is distinct and responsive targets have emerged in other models, supporting potential for meaningful progress here.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Xiang — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Xiang
Related research
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This study is looking at how a protein called FBXL16 influences estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, especially why some patients don’t respond to hormone therapy and how the cancer might spread, with the goal of finding better treatment options for those facing advanced breast cancer.
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This project looks at whether a specific immune signal in brain support cells (astrocytes) helps breast cancer cells grow in the brain, aiming to help people with breast cancer that has spread to the brain.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.